By Kim Se-jeongWomen were found to suffer greater workplace stress when supervised by female bosses or surrounded by female colleagues, a study showed Wednesday.In a research paper, "Are Women Enemies of Each Other?; Impact of Boss's Gender on Female Workers' Performance," by the Korean Labor Economic Association, researcher Chung Han-na wrote stress levels were 3.5 percent, higher compared to when they were supervised by men or surrounded by male colleagues. "In the male-dominated corporate culture of Korea, women in a leadership position tend to be more competitive, masculine and demanding than their male colleagues, and they make life more difficult for their female subordinates," the author explained. "Also these women in power tend to lose their innate leadership qualities like patience, friendliness, empathy, nurturing and listening skills (which are important to female workers)."The author drew conclusions by analyzing raw survey data from the Korean Women's Development Institute which surveyed 2,361 female workers in leadership positions since 2008. Having a female boss also meant fewer promotion opportunities for women, according to the study. And it was worst for those in the lowest ranks. "By the same token, these competitive female bosses have high expectations for their team members and are often perfectionists," Chung wrote.The study was the first of its kind done in Korea. Globally, numerous studies are done on the same topic and mixed conclusions have been drawn. Some scholars concluded women's stress levels decreased when they have female bosses and are surrounded by more female colleagues because they have more to share and a sense of understanding. Other scholars concluded the opposite as seen in Korean workplaces.